Fairfield and Westport CT Real Estate Guide

Local insights on buying, selling, and living in Fairfield County

Category Archives: Real Estate


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Family from Scotland Comes Overseas to Live in Connecticut

Greg, a client of mine that worked in the landscaping business referred a new client to me that was being recruited all the way from Scotland to join the landscaping company he worked for called Michael Bellantoni located in White Plains, New York.

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So Andew began the process of relocating with his wife Kirsty and three daughters from overseas to join the firm.  They wanted to buy a home in a town with good schools and great prices, and focused in on Bethel, Connecticut.   Despite their stellar credit in Scotland, they could not apply for a mortgage here in the States without any credit history in the US.   So we found them a rental to enable them to establish their credit here while looking for a new home.   After a long search, Andrew and Kirsty found the perfect home, and as Andrew is now well established with his new company, the happy family is enjoying a new life here in Bethel Connecticut!

…Fast forward five years to the family’s move date anniversary, and Kirsty posts her feelings on Facebook, and we have an online exchange,

“Well….today is our 5th Anniversary of moving to the States. It’s been a rollercoaster so far with a couple of highs, but also some lows. I have made life long new friends here, but also miss my besties back home and often long to be able to just jump in the car and go visit them, especially when they’re sick or not doing too well. Our oldest daughter has gotten married and bought her own place with our lovely son-in-law, our middle daughter is in her last year of high school and the youngest will be moving up to become a junior after the summer. I don’t know what the next five years holds, or even the next year. Anyway, here’s to five years in the good old US of A.”

  • Hi Kirsty, I know there’ve been some tough times getting settled here. I wish it was a smoother transition for you and your family. I hope there are many more happy memories to be made here going forward!
    February 16 at 7:48pm
  • Kirsty: Bless you Linda, yes, it has been tough at times. But still here five years on…thank you for everything you have done for us, and if I ever need a Realtor in the future, there’s only one person I would trust!  
    If I can help you with any of your moving plans, here or overseas, just let me know!

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    Thank you for your response. ✨


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Home Buyers & Sellers Unite!

When Mike called me to take a look at his house after seeing my name on a For Sale sign nearby, I was happy to oblige. After touring the house, I returned a few evenings later to meet with him and his wife Kagin to discuss their plans for moving to Florida and how we could work together to make this happen.   Within two weeks, Mike and Kagin were ready to put their house up for sale!

1000 Burroughs (69)

Hitting the market in pristine condition with fabulous photos and a price based on comparable sales- we had instant interest, and a lot of it!   Within the first week we had multiple offers including one at full price.    Mike and Kagin went with the offer with the best terms for them.

It’s a win-win for everyone when they can work together in a positive and productive way.   I truly enjoyed working with my clients to unite them in this successful sale!

Mike & Kagin 11-22-13       
If you would like a complimentary market valuation for your home or have a question or comment about this post, please use the form below.

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Live in Downtown Fairfield- Commuter’s Dream Home!

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Live in Downtown Fairfield- Commuter's Dream Home!

Charm Central: 34 Glover Street, Fairfield, CT 06824
NEW PRICE: $499,000
MLS# 99039689


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From Southport CT to Southport CT – Success Story

Some happy clients left their Southport home behind for a gorgeous new home in none other a wonderful place than… Southport!

921 Kings Hwy W w gift

Mom gave 100% approval and even supported the endeavor as a partner. They got a great deal on a bank owned new construction, and the bank even hired a new builder to complete the house and provide custom finishes.

Here’s to a new chapter and a new home. – Cheers!

921 Kings Hwy W


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And They’ll Live Happily Ever After!

The couple in the long distance relationship had to come together sooner or later, and they did just that in Fairfield’s university area this month!

Gary was living in his New York apartment and working in Manhattan. Jackie was working and living in her house in New Hampshire with her son. Every Friday, Gary took the train to Boston and then drove another half hour to Jackie’s house to be with her for the weekend. He didn’t mind the weekend trips, but travel and distance was still a barrier between them.

Since Jackie had a house to sell and didn’t know how long it would take, they figured they would rent in Fairfield where Gary’s parents live until they could get more settled with their plans. It turns out, I had the perfect house to show them, and they loved it. Jackie put her house on the market the next week and sold it in one day!

So they came together in Fairfield, and the rest is history!
5 Ermine Gary & Jackie at Closing
5 Ermine Gary & Jackie


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Movin’ Like Hot Cakes! Summer Real Estate 2013

Folks have been asking me if the market’s been picking up, and I have to say YES! Here’s a mini-update on what’s happened with me within the past month or so.

My listing on 113 Charles Street in Fairifield SOLD at the end of May for $500,000. It went for 95% of the asking price to a nice young couple that has joined the beach area. The previous owners moved on to a new job promotion in Boston and new home in South Norwalk.

House Beach Grass Optimized 800x600

My listing at 479 South Benson Road, Fairfield also SOLD at the end of May for $750,000 at 94% of list. This was a short sale through Bank of America in which my clients were accepted into BoA’s “Cooperative Short Sale Program”. Believe it or not, I have to say that I was extremely impressed with the bank’s process and efficiency. The entire transaction was managed via the online program called Equator and through educational resources available on the bank’s website. They provided a chart with an overview of the steps in the process and how much time was allotted for each step- and they stuck to it! We closed on time, and my clients moved on with their plans!
Charming front porch complete with swing and private back patio.
Currently under CONTRACT with my buyers, is 921 Kings Highway West in Southport. This is a lovely new construction home that is bank owned with a listing price of $819,900. They can’t wait to move in and enjoy!

921 Kings Hwy W

Also under CONTRACT with my buyers is 5 Ermine Street in Fairfield’s lovely University area. The asking price is $659,900. The happy couple will be uniting here as they prepare to get married. He is coming here from New York’s Big Apple, and she is coming from New Hampshire. They will be moving to Fairfield in time to enjoy the beaches this summer.

5 Ermine

So what’s up and coming, you may ask?

We have an OPEN HOUSE coming up on Sunday June 23rd from 1:00 to 3:00 at 1284 Fairfield Woods Road, Fairfield CT.  This is an impeccable and charming home with four bedrooms, two full baths and nearly a third of an acre with completely fenced level yard.  Asking price is $459,900. Click the image below for more pic’s and info!

1284 Fairfield Woods

…And COMING SOON to the market is Black Rock Gem, 184 Harborview Ave, to be listed at $324,000.   184 Harborview
Stay tuned for more….

So, you can say that things are definitely moving out there!   Let me know if you are ready to move on with your plans.  As always, I’m here to help! -Linda

Spring Tulips!

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Spring Tulips!

I just sent this beautiful post card to three of my clients who are having home buying or selling anniversaries this spring. One was a two-month anniversary, one a two-year, and the third was a seven-year anniversary!! Isn’t Spring great?


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Another Dream Comes True!

Tina had an exciting day today, because she closed on her long awaited condo in the Foxwood community in Milford, Connecticut.  Today was smooth sailing, but it was quite a journey to get here.

We had been looking for the perfect unit since last year.  It had to be on the first floor with plenty of space, two entrances, two bedrooms, a den, space to install full-size washer and dryer (vs.  smaller stacking ones)  and in good condition.  We thought we found it the first day when we looked at a nice For Sale By Owner.  But we got all the way to contract signing before finding out that this section of the complex did not allow hard wood floors to be installed- a deal-breaker for Tina.

So, we looked at several others that fell short of the requirements and then waited and waited for the right unit it come to the market.  Units came and went without anything fitting the bill.  I created custom postcards and mailed them to all the owners in qualifying units…  Nothing.

Mailer for Tina

Mailer for Tina

Then finally one day a few months ago, the ‘perfect’ unit hit the market, so we went for it.  We got it- the listing agent wrote in an email to me.   But after she told me our offer was accepted, a client of hers came in with a cash offer.  Ours was higher but still declined.  We didn’t get it!

So we waited, and I sent another mailing.

Finally, the absolute perfect unit came to the market.  It was like the one she lost, but a nice end unit with a park bench right out front.  This one was meant to be.

Tina was so excited she planned to have the entire unit renovated before she even closed on it.  She arranged to open up several walls, install hardwood and tile floors, redo the kitchen and change from her previous beach style to ‘country’!

The road was long, but the closing was short and and the reward was the perfect new home.  I think the rest will be history!

Here’s a note from Tina a few months later, “Hi Lin’,  I really love living here….I couldn’t be in a nicer spot.   Thank you for finding this home for me….I will always send you more clients when I can.”

Tina and her new Foxwood Condo

Tina and her new Foxwood Condo!


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Housing Market Update Post-Storm 2013, Westport, Fairfield, Weston CT

Housing Market Update Post-Storm 2013, Westport, Fairfield, Weston Connecticut

Hurricane-blizzard Nemo, the second ‘biblical’ weather event to hit us within a short time frame, has caused another lull in the local housing markets.   But has it really dampened this year’s market compared to last year?   Are we still a buyer’s market, or are the scales tipping in favor of sellers?  Read on to find out!  I’ve looked at the data and prepared this ‘housing market update post-storm 2013, Westport, Fairfield & Weston Connecticut’ to answer these questions for you.

In Favor of Sellers
There are  a number of indicators that mean good news for sellers- low inventory, lots of offers,  low interest rates and a strong average sale-to-list price ratio.

113 Charles St, Fairfield CT

113 Charles St, Fairfield CT
$525,000 MLS# 99009704

Low inventory- The number of homes for sale dropped significantly from last January to this January.  There were 14% fewer homes on the market this year in Weston compared to last year and 26% fewer in Fairfield.   This equates to 165 fewer homes for sale this January among the three towns. The shortage of homes for sale was not matched by a shortage of buyers however, so this meant more buyers for each listing.

TABLE FOR BLOG jpgLots of offers- As a result, the number of accepted offers (binders) surged this January.   The percentage of active listings with binders was 5-10% in Westport, Weston and Fairfield last year at this time.  But binders jumped to 12-13% this year in all three towns!  Contracts were also way up, almost doubling in Westport with 22 last January and 43 this year.

Low interest rates-  Although the lending environment was quite challenging with stricter regulations, the interest rates remained extremely low and encouraged buyers to shop and make offers.  When homes were priced in line with recent comparable sales, appraisals matched the sale price and transactions were successful.  Low rates also enabled a larger pool of buyers to afford the homes for sale.

Strong sale/list price ratio- For sellers pricing their property in accordance with the current market, sale prices remained close to asking.  Sale prices averaged 95% of list with some homes going for full price or more while many of these sellers enjoyed multiple offers and fast sales.  Five homes in Fairfield sold at or above the asking price in January.

111 Mill Hill Rd,    List: $325,000  Sale: $333,500

133 Arbor Dr,        List: $349,900  Sale: $365,130

2698 Easton Tpk,   List: $369,900  Sale: $370,000

29 Flora Blvd,        List: $559,000   Sale: $562,000

30 Carroll St,          List: $1,030,000 Sale: $1,030,000

In Favor of Buyers

Lowest interest rates ever- Buyers continued to capitalize on low prices and the absolute lowest interest rates in history .   Those prepared to act quickly and step up to the plate on price experienced a successful purchase and the joy of a new home.   Others remained out there looking and awaiting the home of their dreams to hit the market.

Mortgage Trend since 2009

And that’s the scoop on the housing market update post-storm 2013, Westport Fairfield & Weston Connecticut.

So if you are looking to buy, keep looking!  More homes are being listed for sale each day.  Contact me using the form below to help you find that perfect home or start browsing homes now by clicking the Search Like an Agent! tab at the top of this blog.  For a  mortgage pre-approval with a top-notch lender, submit a request in the form below to reach Mark Hawkins at William Raveis Mortgage.   Raveis Mortgage is currently averaging an unbeatable 33 days commitment time from submission, and Mark will be happy to assist you.

And if you are thinking of selling your house, now is prime time to get it on the market while your competition is low, shoppers are poised to buy and interest rates are offering you the largest pool of buyers for your price.  Give me a call or send me a request using the form below for a complementary pricing analysis for your home and any other market questions you may have.

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Linda Raymond, Realtor Licensed in Connecticut
William Raveis Real Estate Mortgage & Insurance
203-912-4440
Linda.Raymond@raveis.com


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A Great Meal and a Market Update!

My husband and I earned a little ‘found’ time for a dinner out over the weekend when our nine year old daughter, Emerson, was invited to her friend’s house at the beach.  We went to Martel on the Post Road in Southport. My husband is a big fan of the Martel Meatloaf, but I have to say that the Trout Meuniere with haricots verts & white bean salad is absolutely delicious! I highly recommend it, especially if you want to eat healthy. Of course, if you’re looking for something rich and decadent, you must try their Cheese Fondue for Two!   Martel Logo

So, what’s happening in Fairfield’s housing market? We currently have 507 single family homes and 91 condos on the market. With 201 sales in the past six months, this equates to an average of 34 sales per month and a 15-month supply of single family homes for sale. A six-month supply indicates a balanced market and less than this indicates a seller’s market, so we are still clearly in a strong buyer’s market.

Nine homes have sold in June so far, ranging in price from $197,500 for a home on Rakoczy Avenue to $750,000 for a home on Collingwood. This puts the average sale price this month so far at $478K. Looking ahead, 105 more homes are under contract and ready to close! Forty of these are priced up to $500K, 19 are in the $500K-$700K range, 21 are in the $700K-$900K range, eight are listed between $900K and $1mil, 14 are in the $1mil-$2mil range and three are listed above $2mil. In addition, 49 homes are under binder with an accepted offer, including a property on Senate Lane listed for $5mil.

So we should expect to see an increase in sales ranging through all the price points in the next month or so.

Is there something specific you are wondering about in Fairfield’s real estate market? Enter a comment below with your question, and I’ll do my best to respond in my next blog post!

Originally Posted on Fairfield Patch June 23, 2011 at 1:11 amMartel Logo Halloween Party 2008 012